Sneak preview...

This is a sneak preview of a project that Marilyn and I will teach in one of our upcoming fall classes. We're calling it Plaster Encaustic Fusion, but it's also just plain fun -- lots of tactile satisfaction for those who like to work with texture and layers. We will have dates and details for this and other classes soon, so visit often or ask to be added to our email list for class announcements (see sidebar.)


Summer is just flying by, and with the exception of an uncomfortably steamy week or two, I am enjoying every minute. Sunshine, gardening, friends, family, concerts, parties, some boating -- all of the best of such a short season in upstate NY. Needless to say, blogging has fallen pretty low on my to do list these days!!!

...And another sunny Saturday beckons, so I am off for now!!! I hope you are all enjoying life.

Sunflowers, I just love 'em

I can't resist at least one post each summer dedicated to my favorite flower. I just love everything about them -- Their size: so large they look almost comical in contrast to my manicured shrubs -- their color: some very yellow, some with red highlights, some more ochre and brown -- their shape: round and happy and symmetrical -- their seeds: that attract and feed the summer birds and bees.

In my garden they grow whereever the birds drop them out of the feeders, so I never quite know when or where or how many I'll have.

This is the last of them for this summer, brightening my dining room table.

A glimpse of summer around my house...

I am really loving the summer this year. Even with all the rain, we've have relatively cool evenings until this week, and I love opening the windows wide and listening to the birds singing outside my windows.

And Cutes (my niece's nickname)is doing well. She's had all of chest tubes removed and is slowly being weaned from pain meds, ventilator, etc. Next week, I have will have a Cutes-related giveaway. Stay tuned!!

Have a good weekend all!

The unofficial beginning of summer...

That's what this time of year signifies to me...My herb garden is planted on my deck...I shine up the gas grill for a summer of kabobs and marinades...the lawn is mowed...and mowed again...and again...hasta are split and replanted...birds are nesting all around our house...I ease into a four-day work week...and I try to remember how to relax...read a book...paint for hours...feel the warmth of the sun...roll in the grass with Max...and breathe...breathe...breathe...

Green...

Somerset Studio has an upcoming theme simply called "green." I LOVE green. As a color category, it is my favorite, with sooo many luscious variations. So I played around with this digital collage of my favorite color. I began by going out into the courtyard at my office, which, in summer, is a true celebration of the color green. I snapped some digital pictures of the various green shrubs, ferns, plants and ground cover, and then created this collage... I may not be done with it yet, but I'm posting it in its current state. The transparent layers include a collaged greeting card made with mosaic squares and lots of texture.